Naga council ready for talks

New Delhi has managed to broker a semblance of truce between the agitating United Naga Council (UNC) and the Manipur government. Talks between the two are likely to be held on October 16.

The UNC had last month imposed a 20-day economic blockade on Manipur. It came less than two months after another Naga organization – All Naga Students' Association of Manipur – had temporarily suspended its 69-day blockade on two arterial highways leading to state capital Imphal.

The UNC has been opposing the autonomous district councils (ADCs) in hills of Manipur inhabited by Nagas and other tribes. It has refused to accept the elections to these ADCs until the state government amends the Manipur (Hill area) District Council Act of 2008, which it claims restrains the functioning of the councils.

A spokesperson of the UNC confirmed New Delhi's role in facilitating talks between the Naga body and the Manipur government.

"Our leaders have returned after camping 25 days in Delhi. Let's see what comes out of the meeting likely late next week," he said.